Author: sobrien

Hunters Point Parks offer free summer programming for children under 10

Families enjoy a puppet show from Wonderspark Puppets at last year's Summer Kids. Photo courtesy of HPPC.

July 11, 2025 By Shane O’Brien The Hunters Point Parks Conservancy (HPPC) is hosting its 10th year of free programming for children this summer in Hunter’s Point South Park and Gantry Plaza State Park on the Long Island City waterfront, providing free family-friendly programming every morning at 10 a.m. across July and August. HPPC’s Summer… Read more »

Dim Sum Palace celebrates LIC grand opening in former location of Brooks 1890

July 3, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Dim Sum Palace, a New York City chain offering dim sum and a variety of other Chinese dishes, has opened its doors in Long Island City, replacing the historic neighborhood bar Brooks 1890.  Dim Sum Palace celebrated its grand opening at 24-28 Jackson Ave. on Thursday, June 26, representing… Read more »

Council Members Won, Hanif pass bills to protect immigrants from fake lawyers

July 2, 2025 By Shane O’Brien The New York City Council has passed legislation introduced by Queens Council Member Julie Won and Brooklyn Council Member Shahana Hanif, aiming to combat immigration legal services fraud, whereby predatory actors exploit the fears of immigrant communities by offering false promises of legal services. Legislators said the practice, known… Read more »

Target set to open long-awaited Astoria store on July 20

July 2, 2025 By Shane O’Brien  Retail giant Target will celebrate its long-awaited Astoria grand opening on July 20 when it opens its doors on 31st Street for the first time. The retailer will open a 41,000 square foot location at 22-11 31st St. on Sunday, July 20, marking Target’s eighth store in Queens and… Read more »

Hunters Point South Park earns international recognition for design and and public value

From left to right: Stephanie Pankiewicz - ULI Jury Committee, Tom Balsley - Design Principal - swa/Balsley, Rob Basch - President Hunters Point Parks Conservancy, Ebony Young - Deputy Queens Borough President, Frank Ottomanelli - Owner, Frank Ottomanelli's By The Water, Len Greco - Senior Vice President EDC, Mark Focht - Deputy Commissioner NYC Parks, Kevin Parris - Director NYC Housing, Preservation and Development. Photo courtesy of HPPC.

June 27, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Hunters Point South Park has been selected as one of ten winners of the prestigious 2025 Urban Land Institute (ULI) Americas Awards for Excellence, a recognition honoring outstanding development efforts across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors throughout the Americas. Located on the Long Island City waterfront, the park… Read more »

Get Fit Sunnyside returns with deals at 16 fitness and wellness spots

June 27, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Get Fit Sunnyside, the annual fitness campaign encouraging Sunnyside residents to get active through discounted classes and healthy food deals, has returned for its fourth year, just in time for summer. Hosted by the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District (BID), the campaign launched Wednesday, June 25, and runs through… Read more »

LaGuardia students celebrate graduation at college’s 53rd Commencement Ceremony

LaGuardia Community College students celebrate graduation on Friday. Photo courtesy of LaGuardia Community College.

June 23, 2025 By Shane O’Brien More than 2,000 LaGuardia Community College students celebrated their graduation at the college’s 53rd Commencement Ceremony Friday morning, which toasted the resiliency of LaGuardia’s student body. Kenneth Adams, president of LaGuardia Community College, also celebrated increased enrollment, improved grades and increased participation in extra-curricular clubs at Friday’s commencement ceremony…. Read more »